MAY 3, 2001

Panis on top at Silverstone

OLIVIER PANIS topped the timesheets on the final day of testing at the Silverstone circuit on Thursday as the British American Racing driver was more than a tenth of a second quicker than Jordan's Jarno Trulli.

Frenchman Panis was the fastest driver for the second day in succession in dry conditions, with average track temperatures of 17 degrees Celsius.

BAR test driver Patrick Lemarie was third quickest, ahead of German Nick Heidfeld, who was fourth fastest for Sauber after taking over from Finnish youngster Kimi Raikkonen, who escaped unhurt after a crash on Wednesday.

The Sauber mechanics worked through the night following Raikkonen's crash to make repairs so that the Swiss team could continue its three-day program.